Hooves and Harlots
All right, let me start this one out with the same disclaimer I'll probably be putting in front of all the Xena episodes which feature Amazons. I'm not a big fan of the Amazons. They bug me. I don't know why, but it's true.
That said, I will say that in the whole scheme of things, I did like this episode for the most part.
I like Gabs' "Don't judge a scroll by its paper." WIth all the other modern day references on XWP, it's nice to see a more appropriate cliche.
Tereis is a character I liked very much, but she wasn't around very long. She refers to "Amazon children". Does that include boys?
Ephiny and Xena hit it off right off the bat...errr...they looked like they were going to hit each other right off the bat. I sense a little hostility on both of their parts.
How convenient that Xena goes to check to see "if it's clear." That gives Tereis the time to give her rite of caste to Gabs in private.
Anyone else think that Tyldus resembles odd character actor Steve Buscemi?
I know Xena has to work with what she has, but I'm a little concerned about the unsanitary conditions under which she treats the injured centaur, who happens to be played by the same actor who'll play David in second season's Giant Killer.
While Ephiny is attending Miss Manner's charm school, I've been stealing Gabrielle's terrific line, "Excuse me, but you must have mistaken me for a pet." I've used that one at work many times!
Shouldn't Gabrielle have known what a fighting staff was when she spotted it? Didn't Xena demonstrate that type of weapon at the beginning of the episode?
I do believe Xena is part monkey. I just wanted to say that!
Xena wants to know why Ephiny followed her. Wouldn't a better question be, "Why is Ephiny trying to kill me?"
"Centaurs don't eat hay." A classic line!
Gabs is too cute during her Amazon dancing experience! "They wouldn't let me dance at crop festivals; it brought a bad harvest!" Hee hee! But why does she have one ear covered during the music? Does she think she's Peter Brady?
All right, the above is a very obscure reference, but I'm sure someone out there will get it!
Krykus's snobby voice took oh...about a second and a half to annoy me. His voice and that bizarre little beard really should go!
I love the sort-of-but not-really apologetic look Ephiny gives Xena when she bursts into the tent. It looks like the kind of look Xena would give!
One of my favorite exchanges:
Xena: What's this?
Gabrielle: I'm an Amazon princess?
Xena: Great.
I got a kick out of Xena getting Gabs' attention. If the subtle eyebrow doesn't work, go for the major arch!
Ephiny sure changes her mind about Xena in a hurry...I'm glad, but it was awfully quick!
I enjoy the chobo fight. Gabbers' cheerleading makes it all the better,
So who exactly is the new Amazon queen? Is it Gabrielle or Xena? I'm confused!
Massis, the centaur Xena healed sure made a quick recovery. He was one of the Hooves pulling the Harlots.
Here's a question that's always bothered me...Why does Xena go off and leave the battle just to kill Celano? He wasn't a very competent fighter, but she seemed to have a personal vendetta against him.
And why was it okay for her to kill Celano, but she stops Melosa from killing Krykus? I'll never figure that one out!
That is one ugly staff Gabrielle ends up with! Why don't we ever see it again?
I love the shot of Xena and Gabs walking along the horizon...and I laugh everytime Xena heads out in one direction while Gabs is babbling away in another direction. Nice ending to a fun episode!
And as for Gary's thoughts...
This early episode is one of my favorites. It introduces us to the
Amazons,especially to Queen Melosa,who I believe to be the best of all the
Amazon queens I have seen on the show. Tho older,she still is agile and
good-looking,and not without a sense of humor.
The ep. opens up with Xena and Gabby walking thru the woods,and they spot
some strange symbols,which Xena describes as warning signs that they are on
Amazon lands.
They are surrounded by Amazons who were hiding in the trees,and Xena shows
Gabby the proper sign to use for peace. They are taken to the village to
meet the queen,and on the way are attacked with a hail of arrows. Terea,the
queen's sister,is hit with an arrow and falls to the ground. Gabby places
her own body on top of her to prevent further wounds. Terea,upon dying,makes
Gabby take her right of caste,making her an Amazon Princess.
At the village,they meet Melosa. Also,a Centaur is captured,and is accused
of killing Terea.
He scorns the Amazons...there has been a turf war with the Centaurs,and
tensions are tight.
Gabby is instructed in the Amazon ways,and chooses a staff as her principal
weapon.
We meet Ephiny,who will be in subsequent eps. She doesn't like Xena,and
seems to resent Gabby.
A warlord is trying to instigate a war between the Amazons and
Centaurs,making himself the winner by being able to grab all the land after
the other two sides kill each other off.
Xena meets the Centaur leader Tildus,whom she fought years before,and she
has to convince him that she does not want any trouble,and tries to warn him
about the warlord's plan.
He finally believes,and his son,the captured Centaur(later to marry Ephiny)
is released and agrees to team up with the Amazons.
There is the fight between Xena and Melosa. Gabby was supposed to kill the
Centaur,Fantes,because she must avenge Terea's death,or else she will
die,too. She cannot do it,but chooses Xena to be her champion to fight
Melosa for the queenhood. Then the winner can decide if Fantes will live. Of
course Xena does,becomes queen for a day,so to speak,and leads the charge
against the warlord. Asd usual,right wins over wrong,and the warlord will be
tried for murder.
This simple ep. was fun to watch,esp. when Gabby must dance with the
Amazons..it was a cute scene,with Gabby really getting into it.
We also see Gabby's reverence for life,even at the cost of her own. She
could have been killed trying to protect a dying Amazon.
The last scene in the show was one of those really good photo shots where
the girls are outlined against a red skyline with Gabby talking. This is one
of my favotite images,and seems to capture the true nature of a Warrior
Princess on a quest to do right,and redeem herself,accompanied by a young
bard,who is maturing along the way.
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